* Pictures noted left to right - We left Petra mid-morning at a leisurely pace stopping occasionally to admire the many dramatic panoramic views along the way. By late afternoon we descended into Aqaba down a very large, winding canyon to the Red Sea with the view of Elat, Israel adjoining to the West.
Once checked in we wandered up to the hotel's deserted roof to watch the sunset over the Red Sea (picture 1) with some wine and an order of apple flavored hubbly-bubbly. Just a fabulous night.
Next morning we were packed and in the car as Ashrif drove us to the Royal Diving Club about 1/2 hour away from downtown Aqaba. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and comfortably warm. After changing into bathing suits, getting a locker, towels, snorkels and fins we headed for a few lounge chairs on the beach. Once our towels we were placed and our shoes were off we gratefully jumped into the amazingly clear blue waters of the Gulf of Aqaba (off the Red Sea) (picture 2).
For the next 2.5 hours we snorkeled over Aqaba's famous and infinately beautiful coral and fish. The incredibly different varieties of coral and intense colors of so many fish were just astounding.
Wishing we had more time, we forced ourselves out of the water, dressed into our driving clothes and returned to the car where Ashrif waited with a large tray of delicious Jordanian baklava. We were now ready for our long 4 hour drive back to Amman.
Once in Amman, Eyad was waiting to welcome us back with a big hug and 2 wonderful bottles of Mount Nebo red wine. It felt great to be back and even better to have a chance to see our good friend again before leaving the next day on our short 1.5 flight to Cairo, Egypt.
Once checked in we wandered up to the hotel's deserted roof to watch the sunset over the Red Sea (picture 1) with some wine and an order of apple flavored hubbly-bubbly. Just a fabulous night.
Next morning we were packed and in the car as Ashrif drove us to the Royal Diving Club about 1/2 hour away from downtown Aqaba. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and comfortably warm. After changing into bathing suits, getting a locker, towels, snorkels and fins we headed for a few lounge chairs on the beach. Once our towels we were placed and our shoes were off we gratefully jumped into the amazingly clear blue waters of the Gulf of Aqaba (off the Red Sea) (picture 2).
For the next 2.5 hours we snorkeled over Aqaba's famous and infinately beautiful coral and fish. The incredibly different varieties of coral and intense colors of so many fish were just astounding.
Wishing we had more time, we forced ourselves out of the water, dressed into our driving clothes and returned to the car where Ashrif waited with a large tray of delicious Jordanian baklava. We were now ready for our long 4 hour drive back to Amman.
Once in Amman, Eyad was waiting to welcome us back with a big hug and 2 wonderful bottles of Mount Nebo red wine. It felt great to be back and even better to have a chance to see our good friend again before leaving the next day on our short 1.5 flight to Cairo, Egypt.
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